PT 



sia7 

4B73 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

#? Tm"7 

*l(pqt. iopjrigJji Ifo, 

Shelf.ix4_B73 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE BRIDE, 

A 

POEM IN THREE PARTS. 

Translated 

/ 

FROM THE DANISH-'GERSON," 

n 

BY 

P. I. MCKENZIE OERTING. 




V 



Copyright 1886, by P. J. McKenzie Oerting. 



It) tl\e fV^oi^e. 

Close by woods and hills surrounded, 

Bless'd by nature's fond caress, 
Is the parsonage located, 

Covered with its ivy dress. 
Near its gables trees are standing, 

Swallows build beneath its roof, 
And its threshold, to the needy 

Day by day its kindness prove. 

Now is round it stillness hovering, 

And the streamlet bright and clear 
Twines so softly round the garden 

O'er its bed, unto the rear ; 
Clear and brightly o'er the meadow 

Pours the moon her mellow light, 
While the stars around her glitter, 

From the sky so rich and bright. 



It is now the hour of stillness, 

Night sends dreams to each abode, 
Whispers sinful heart its dooming, 

Greetings to the pure in God. 
All are sleeping ; one alone is 

Sitting by the moonlit sash ; — 
It is the daughter of the parson, 

Sleepless, dreaming o'er the past. 



Near her eye a rosebud ripens, 

Bright her cheeks, like roses bloom, 
And her spirit seems enraptured 

In the depths of heavens room ; 
Though she ponders, through her eye there 

Shines a more than earthly light ; 
Like a halo, round her forehead, 

Twines her golden locks so bright. 



It's the only night, the only, 

She will know before the day, 
When a bride she near God's altar 

With her hopeful heart shall stay ; 
What she wishes, what she's hoping, 

All, she fathoms quiet and clear ; 
Sends on high, with fervent ardor, 

Through her praise and in her prayer. 



In hei mind she foremost pictures 

Childhood in its brightest glee ; 
When she often asked so playful 

Flowers her future fate to gi'e ; 
When she yonder 'neath the oak-tree 

All her childish sins confess'd 
And the silver brook her picture, 

'Though her waywardness, caress'd. 



Next, the day she views solemnly, 

When her promise God she gave, 
To fulfill her Christian duty 

True and faithful to the grave ; — 
Then, the twilight just appearing, 

Rose the curtains for the day, 
And the childhood's angel whispered, 

Through its tears "Vale! Vale!" 



And she counts now in her memory 

Every day as they pass by ; 
None of them she is neglecting, 

All, her memory will try ; 
One of them to her is dearest, 

One, — the day she first did see, 
For her youthful eye, through blushing, 

Him, whose wife she soon will be. 



Oh ! his voice, how gentle spoke it ! 

How his eye on her could rest, 
When like charmed as if by magic 

Every word with joy was blest. 
Everything she weighs and measures, 

Every sungleam, every cloud ; — 
Wondrous does the love she cherish 

From the past lift up the shroud, 

Hopeful glides her glances forward 

To the precious time when now, 
Only veiled by nightly shadows 

She shall give her solemn vow, 
Quicker now her pulse is beating ; 

Quicker still her throbbing heart. 
And the eye into its mirror 

New and greater strength imparts. 



— 10 — 



" Lord of heaven ! thou whose starlights 

" Now so brightly 'bove us shine ! " 
Through such words of heartfelt fervor, 

Rose her soul on thoughts sublime. 
" Lord of heavens ! O let ray praises 

" And my thanks to thee ascend ! 
" Thou ! who everything has granted 

" Which to happiness does attend ! 

" Bright and lovely was my home-life, 

" Never did my wish appear, 
" But with love and gentle kindness 

" Came the answer : "Yes, my dear.'" 
" Worldly strife and worldly sorrow 

" Were but known to me by name : 
" Every day, and every morning 

" Bright the sun with gladness came. 



Praise and thanks for all thy mercy ! 
" Let each thought, each word by me, 
Which in thoughtlessness were uttered, 
" Be forgiven God ! of thee. 
Each desire against thy willing 
" Which my heart has harbor 'd there, 
Let it, Lord ! through Christ's atonement 
" Dwindle for thy mercy here ! " 



Let the day which soon is coming, 
" Bright and full of sun appear, 
As the picture of thy goodness, 
" Covered in my heart I bear ; 
And, O Lord { when I must travel 
" From my childhood's Eden-home, 
Let thy guardian angels watch it, 
" And with peace around it roam ! " 



As she ends her fervent prayer, 

With an unknown power fraught, 
Seems it as if angels hovered 

Round her, while enrapt in thought ; 
Some wore wreaths of mystic bearing, 

And the others roses spread 
On the church-road which is running 

Longside of the brooklet's bed, 



By and by, they are all escaping 

Skywards, — as it seems to her, 
But the mist which floats the meadow 

Hides them, as they disappear. 
Downwards does her eye now wander, 

While in high exalted mood. 
She is looking at the moon rays 

Throwing on the floor their flood. 



— 13 — 



Hush ! it rattles, close the doorway, 

Like the breeze in tree-tops near, 
And in night-dress white and tidy, 

Does the parson's spouse appear ; 
Quietly she the door is shutting, 

Walking from her nightly rest 
To her daughter, who delighted 

Throws herself upon her breast, 



" Dearest child, don't be alarmed ! 

" I was sleepless for awhile, 
" In this solenm hour of stillness 

" Thinking only of my child ; 
" To the future rose my questions 

" On the wings of fervent thought ; 
" And I do not know the reason, 

" But, with fright they back were brought. 



— 14 — 



" Then I heard thee in the parlor, 

" Saw thy bedstead's empty frame, 
" Listened to thy lonely talking, 

" 'Though not knowing what the theme ; 
" And I left my couch in stillness 

" While I thought and pondered o'er 
" What advice I now would like to 

" Give thee, for thy future lore. 



" Often did we speak and ponder — 

" Id thy wisdom I have faith, 
" Bat I know through nightly stillness 

" Pleads the heart its sacred trait ; 
" Many advice are oft forgotten, 

Many — I remember here, 
" And their roots will spread and fasten 

" While thy thoughst are pure and clear. 



u Gladly I will stay beside thee, — 

" Rest thy head upon my breast ; 
" Oft my child my bosom opened, 

" There your joy and grief found rest. 
" Listen then ! and I will gladly 

" Speak, if thou wilt willing hear, — 
" As the next night will not find thee 

" In the house to thee so dear." 



"While in such a way she speaketh, 

Takes she calm the nearest seat. 
Deeply touch'd with true emotion 

Kneels her daughter at her feet ; 
From the starlit sky above them 

Sheds the moon its brightest gold 
Upon eyes, in tear- streams bathed, 

Upon hands fast joined in fold. 



— 16 — 



" Do not, child, forget thy parents 

" When thy home thou soon wilt leave! 
" Friends like them t the world can't give thee 

" When their absence thou wilt grieve ! 
" Never ! do forget thy father, 

" For thy learning he has wrought, 
" And thy mother, never ! never ! 

" She has loved and suffered, both. 



" Don't forget thy childhood's cradle ! 

" Wide the world is for thy flight, 
" But no place will like the home-nest 

" Foster virtue, true and right ; 
" Oft a place is rich of beauty, 

" And by nature truly bless'd ; 
" Home ! sweet home ! its solemn beauty, 

" Overvalues all the rest ! 



— 17 — 



" Keep the hill within thy memory, 

" And its silver stream below ; 
" Could thy eye no streamlet loosen, 

" Would my peace to sorrow grow ; 
" Don't forget the house, the room there, 

" Where thy shout of joy was heard ! 
" There, two hearts are left to mourn thee, 

' 1 Mourn the joy which oft them cheered. 



" Bind thee faithful to thy husband 

" Where the world him makes to go ; 
" There is not an act befitting 

" Like the one thus pointed to ; 
" Is the road with roses covered, 

" Or with thorns, thy heart to bleed ; 
" Falter not, as faithful helpmate 

" Thou, to share his fate agreed. 



— 18 — 



" What lie strives for, what he points at 

" Were his aim the greatest one ; 
" Without her to grace and join it, 

" Falls his seed in barren land. 
" With his axe and strength of sinews, 

u House and home he'll build for you— 
" Blushing, loving, thou may'st tell him 

" There is room for more than two. 



" See in him thy fondest treasure ! 

" If he is erring, — soon forget ! 
" We are all below the standard, 

" Which for righteousness is set. 

Two strong powers are us forcing 

" Often when we boldest fight 
" With a will to end as victors, 

1 ' Are we conquered too light. 



— 19 — 



" Let his wish supreme control thee ; 

" There is nothing like the joy 
" Which a silent offer gives thee, 

" Though it may thine own destroy. 
" All times let a smile it follow, 

" Such brings gladness to his heart. — 
" Harder than thou thinks it hurts him, 

" If to grant it gives thee smart. 



" No triumph is like such offer, 

U Which thy heart gives without veil ; 
l< At the well it takes no trouble 

" To fill up thy neighbor's pail. 
<; Grive from drippings ! Scripture tells us. 

" He who offers from his mite, 
" Shall his name inscribed with glory 

" Find above the stars — a light. 



— 20 — 



ct Bule thy house with love and wisdom, 

" Evil spirits take the lead 
" Where the mistress of the household 

" Slow and sluggish goes ahead. 
" Much a guiding hand will please them, 

" Wonders can an eye perform 
" When thou gentle and in quietnesss 

" To thy daily work conform. 



" Where the mistress frets and wrangles 

" Every servant does the same, 
" Love its sacred threshold places 

" But where peace and quiet remain ! 
" Often when the Storm King's Scepter 

" Giant trees on rocks have slain, 
" Does the flowerets in the valley's 

" Quiet, and undisturbed remain. 



— 21 — 



" Open not thy house too freely ; 

" Friendly words the heart delight 
" But too many friends will often 

" Call alive the hate of night ! 
" Keep a room within it sacred 

" Where thou with thy God can speak ; 
" When His Spirit to us whispers, 

" None its sacred peace must break. 



" Don't intrude upon thy husband, — 

" Sacrifice to bliss oft tend ; 
" He must have his hour of stillness 

u For a prayer on high to send. 
" Quietly runs the life of woman, 

" While for man is struggle and strife, 
" And his heart through rest and quietness 

" Will its power and strength revive. 



— 22 — 



" 'Gainst thy servants show but kindness — 

" Never servant's life was bright, 
" But a kind and gentle treatment 

" Makes their burden double light ; 
" Free, unfettered flies the birdlings, 

" God directs their flight and fall, 
" But a servant, he must hasten 

" On each foolish master's call. 



" More I still could tell my daughter 

" If my mind was clear and bright, 
" But will this you truly follow, 

" Will my heart be glad and quiet. 
" Oh ! I know then that my daughter 

" How her worldly fate may be, 
" Can the hour with joy remember, 

" When her voice first greeted me ! 



—23 — 



In concluding this her councils 

Full of love and fervor fraught, 
Quick her daughter's hands she lifted, 

As on prayer she only thought. 
On the cheeks so fair and youthf nl 

Now the roses disappear 
But a tear-stream clear and holy, 

Mother's love created there. 



Long they both remained in silence, 

Lingering as in dreamy land, 
While two souls one thought are fostering, 

While two hearts beat as if one. 
Still their hands are joined and lifted 

'Gainst the starry orbs on high, 
While from iEols harps seems floating 

Tunes celestial, 'gainst the sky. 



— 24— 



Yet awhile — and then they parted, 

To their couch they go for rest ; 
Whence the strength will be recovered, 

And the cheeks with roses bless'd. 
In the bedroom through the window 

Spreads the moon its latest ray ; 
Shines so beautiful in parting, 

And the hill soon hides her way. 



Now the veil of dew is rising, 

As the stars are hid away ; 
And the sun in east appearing 

Like a golden rain in spray. 
Every flower shows its beauty ; 

All the trees for sun apply, 
And the larks and wheat-birds singing 

Rise from cornfields 'gainst the sky. 



— 25 — 



Meantime from the parson's dwelling, 

Angels unseen slip away ; 
Who were round its recess hovering, 

Through the night, and near the day. 
Upward fly they to the spirit 

Who sends down this angel-host, 
Until in the flames of sunlight 

Every trail of them is lost. 



In the parson's tidy dwelling 

Hard at work is every one ; 
Hours pass on in quick succession, 

And they know not they have gone. 
Hour by hour the day is passing, 

And when to the clock they pry, 
All seem wonders now performing 

As the work is passing by. 



Here is cooking, there is baking, 

Yonder turns a boy the spit ; 
And a loving hand the flowers 

Trim, and for the vases fit ; 
Here the juicy fruit they're rjressing ; 

One will do as much as three — 
It gives pleasure thus to notice 

How the working hands agree. 



— 30 — 



In the dining-room — the table 

Shows a more than common pride, 
And the cloth is finely woven 

By the fingers of the bride. 
Carpets made in tasteful patterns 

On the parlor floor are laid — 
Diligently must the fingers 

Of the bride the spools have played. 



From the steeple does the church bell 

Now commence to tune the air, 
And the people from the village 

Young and old are coming there. 
To the time the old were married 

Does their thoughts return so bright, 
And the youngsters all are wishing 

Soon their bridal lamp to light. 



— 31 — 



As they pass the parson's dwelling 

In they look with prying eye. 
Some are bowing, some are making 

Courtesy — at least they try ; 
One with proud assurance tells them 

What he through the panes did see, — 
Just the festal queen did happen 

For his wondering eye to be. 



Now the coachman's whip is cracking. 

While he's driving to the door, 
With his horses proudly moving, 

As if dancing on a floor ; 
Stiff and starched, in groomly grandeur, 

Sits the coachman, finely dressed, 
Looking like he wished a painter 

Now bis picture would request. 



— 32 — 



Quickly now the door is opened, 

And a servant old and gray 
Brings the wrappings in a hurry, 

Quite ablaze from run and stay. 
Close behind the bride is coming, 

Oh ! how beautiful and fair ! 
It appears that she could never 

Occupy this earthly sphere. 



Eound her slender waist, so graceful 

Fits her dress in chaste array ; 
On her youthful bosom fastened 

Nothing but a fresh bouquet. 
Round her neck of marble whiteness 

Are two strings of beads allied ; 
Every pearl like dewdrops glitter 

Just as happy as the bride. 



Still her cheeks are touched by pale: 

And the roses on her breast 
Hardly show that they are blushing 

To conceal it for the rest. 
In her hair so bright and curly 

But a myrtle has its place ; 
In her eyes a brightness glitter 

Like two diamonds in a blaze. 



But a minute she is waiting, 

And the parson' s spouse is there, 
Following, the worthy shepherd 

In his priestly gown appear. 
On his robe of silken softness 

Is the ruff so white and fine ; 
How it looks, so chaste and holy, 

As the parson's pious mind. 



— 34 — 



First he brings his wife and daughter 

To the festal seat in front ; 
Then, the sprightly team caressing, 

Takes his seat as he is wont ; 
Now the coachman's whip is cracking 

While the wheels are turned around, 
And while thousand friendly wishes 

Floats behind them, heaven-bound. 



Still the chimes of bells are tuning, 

Now to joyful task applied ; 
Often did they tune so mournful 

When with earthly grief allied. 
Now ! they happiness are greeting — 

Turn then wheels ! your duty true ; 
By the church is just arriving 

Four, as quick and nice as you. 



In a minute stops the carriage, 

When the bride is leaving quiet^ 
And the bridegroom in the church-door 

Meets his fair and lovely bride ; 
Happy, with emotion does he 

Kiss her hands, with loving smile, 
And the bridal pair now slowly 

Beach the altar through the aisle. 



Oh ! how bright the church is wreathed 

Loving hands did all select ; 
Like a meadow, rich with flowers 

Is the floor with beauty decked ; 
And how full the pews are getting ! 

For each leaf in aisle and wreath 
Is an ear, absorb'd and anxious 

Listening to the ritual read. 



— 36 — 



Ok ! what happiness to enter 

Thus below the holy crest ! 
What a heavenly boon to fathom 

Such a sign of grace and rest ! 
What a blessing thus to wander 

On the road to earthly bliss ! 
How the heart in humble lowness 

Must its thankfulness increase ! 



Now the organ tuned but lately 

And in perfect harmony, 
With a choir of children's voices 

Tunes its sacred symphony ; 
At the altar bride and bridegroom 

Kneel, in fervent prayer engaged ; 
Then arise, and feeling deeply 

Hums the psalm, while they are placed. 



— 37 — 



" Thou didst O God ! by sacred rite 

" Unite the first of man and bride, 
" And told them " to be one 

" Let then thy blessing now embrace 
" Those two, who offer Thee their praise. 

" Give them O Lord ! thy hand. 
" Guide Thou them on their earthly road 

" Unto the heavenly abode, 
" Where Thou in glory dwells ! 

" Let love their hearts in joy or grief 
" Unite O God ! with full belief 

" In thee and nothing else ! 



Solemnly now to the altar 

Steps the father of the bride : 
He shall tie in holy wedlock 

Her,* who long has been his pride. 
Quiet and earnest are his features. 

Peace and faith are in his eye, 
Full of deep and true emotion 

Does his thoughts arise on high. 



— 38 — 



Long he ponders thus in silence, 

Just as if from distant sphere 
Help he asked in now uniting 

The beloved bridal pair. 
For the text he takes " The kingdom 

Of thy God is within thee." 
And to this his text of Scripture 

Every thought points bright and free. 



" Yes! the Kingdom," he proceeded, 

" Of the Lord ! is within you : 
" Can you understand the richness 

" Of this gift so grand and true? 
" Do you know the Scrip ture meaning. 

" Of the Kingdom of the Lord ? 
" Will your hearts its teaching follow 

" As revealed within his word ? 



— 39 — 



" Listen then while I am showing 

" What the Kingdom is, to you ; 
" It is all the love encircled 

" In a heart, pure, good and true ! 
" It is all the good enbosomed 

" Which you love to cherish there ; 
" It's the strife your souls encounter, 

" While you fight your battle here ! 



" Blessed be Jehovah's Kingdom, 

" Which is harbored in your heart ! 
" But, what claim does then the Scripture 

" To these blissfull words impart ? 
" In his Kingdom no distinction 

" Is between the high and low ; 
" In his Kingdom justice all times 

u Beigns with true impartial show. 



— 40 — 



" In his Kingdom does not envy, 

" Nor does trouble or lust remain ; 
" Hatred, with its poisonous rancor 

" Can no foothold there attain ! 
" In his Kingdom is no falsehood, 

" Truth alone keeps there its dome ; 
" In his Kingdom, only childlike 

" Faith and humbleness are home 



" Where the eye for truth is darkened, 

" Where with boldness is abused 
" What to heart and soul is sacred, 

" There, His Kingdom is refused. 
" Gladly we for truth must suffer, 

" E'en misjudged must keep our stand 
" Love must in the heart be molded 

" Where God's Kingdom is at hand. 



— 41 — 



View the Kingdom of Jehovah ! 

" How it comes so mild and fair 

As the fertile rain in springtime 

' • Which the fruit to ripeness bear ; 

When your soil is worked with vigor, 

" Worked through labor and through prayer. 

Shall the Kingdom in its brightness 

" Be your everlasting share. 



God's all-seeing eye, dear children ( 

" Knows the fact, sees through your heart ; 

When your love is true and holy 

" Will he not from you depart. 

When you heart to heart united 

" Fight your battle, God in view ; 

Is his Kingdom in your bosom, 

" Shining there so bright and true. 



— 42 — 



" Hail thee ! therefore, thou who trusty 

" At thy future takes a view ; 

Thou a woman's heart has conquered 

" Won a heart to duty true. 
" Who with thee thy God will worship, 

" Gladly sorrow with thee divide, 
" And through life and death thee follow, 

" Making faithfulness her pride. 



" Hail thee! also, youthful woman, 

" Doubly thee, my daughter hail ! 
" Thou hast found a spring of happiness, 

" From its fount thy strength to bail ; 
" Thou hadst gained a yeoman's valor, 

" Who his shield for thee will hold ; 
" In each strife he bold and faithful 

l " Will each foeman's wrath control. 



- 43 — 



u Now I ask thee bridegroom, if thou 
" Hadst thy nearest kindred told 

" Thy attention to ally thee 
" With this virgin of my fold ? 

" Ask thee, if thou wilt this maiden 
Who so humbly near thee stand. 

" As thy wife, protect and cherish, 
" As it pleaseth God and man f 



Here he is stopping — he is waiting 

For the bridegroom's word to hear — 
Breathless all within the sacred 

Walls, are listening far and near. 
On the parson they are lookiug 

While his sacred duty true, 
He, like they, is quietly waiting 

For the happy answer due. 



— 44 — 



Calm, bat loud his " yes," is answered — 

Quiet, absorbed he is standing now, 
As if to his heart the echo 

Was repeating there his vow. 
Round the church from lads and maidens, 

Through the aisle, and from the seats 
Whispers goes, how frank and nobly 

Were his manners and his speech. 



" Then I ask thee, if this maiden 

" Standing with thee side by side, 
" Thou will take for worse or better 

" And her cherish, as thy bride? 
; ' Dost thou also know, that thou art 

" From such pledge to others free, 
" Which can hinder thee to enter 

" In this union now to be ? 



— 45 — 



Also to this question freely, 

And with candor he replied, 
And the eyes of all are turning 

To the youthful fairy-bride. 
Quiet, as if in marble molded 

Stands she, — in her eye a tear, 
Which she shed from true emotion 

"While absorbed in silent prayer. 



" Then by duty bound I ask thee 
" Bride, if thou as thee befit, 

" Hadst thy heart, and hadst thy kindred 
" domiciled on this sacred writ ? 

" If this man who stands beside thee 
" Thou wilt to thy bosom take, 
And according to God's bidding 
" Now will to thy husband make? 



— 46 — 



Just as when the billows waving, 

Which a gentle breeze can make, 
In a moment can by calmness, 

Make a mirror of a lake ; 
So the church in stillness waiting 

While the bride shall give her vow, 
And though all of them does know it, 

All of them will hear it now. 



And she gives in deep emotion 

Her by all expected "yes;" 
All are whispering of her paleness, 

Of her fair and gentle face : 
But she seems while humbly bending, 

In the depth of heart to hear, 
How the echo did her answer 

To her God, in glory bear. 



— 47 — 



" Then I ask thee still, my daughter. 

" If this man here thou wilt take : 
" Take for worse and take for better 

" Until thou in heaven wake ? 
" Dost thou also know that thou art 

" From each pledge to others free, 
" Which would hinder thee to enter 

" In this compact now to be ? 



Also through a freely answer 

Each her solemn " yes " does hear ; 
And the parson now is stepping 

To the bride and bridegroom near. 
" Do now," spoke he with emotion, 

l< Give each other then your hand "■ 
And again those words are whispered 

From the people, where they stand. 



— 48 — 



On their heads he places kindly 

Now a father's sacred hand, 
While the holy words he's reading, 

Which shall tie the loving band ; 
They are kneeling now before him ; 

Full of true and holy glee 
Does he give this sacred blessing : 

" God! thy God ! within thee be ! " 



As when from the heavenly regions 

Angels would to earth descend, 
With their golden harps and voices, 

Here the service to attend ; 
All of joy and cheer are singing — 

Thus they sing on spheres on high : 
And the closing hymn its echo 

Spreads, and brings it to the sky. 



—49 — 



" O God ! Thou hadst with father's hand 

" Joined here the happy nuptial band, 
" Oh ! hearken to our prayer ! 

" Let love and concord greet their life, 
" Then true contentment will arrive 

" Their future life to share. 
" Help them ! guide them ! they will bear then 

" Happiness, for them to be ; 
" And if troubles and trials them follow, 

" Let them, God ! depend on thee ! " 



Over is the festal service, 

Only organs tunes are heard, 
Livelier — though for departure 

Does the tune this fact assert. 
Arm in arm, through flowers and garlands 

Walks the bridal pair the aisle, 
And their friends and kindred join them 

In the old familiar style. 



— 50 — 



Walk ! walk on, you happy couple ! 

Greeted glad by young and old, 
May your future bright and happy 

Prove, as hope yourself has told ! 
Pass ! pass on ! each eye around you 

Does alone on you attend ; 
May the Lord his eye in mercy 

On your future path descend. 



But a minute, and the phaeton 

Of the bridegroom, brings them home ; 
Lively, dancing are the horses — 

Proud of spirit — decked by foam. 
Full of joy the bridegroom lingers 

By his still so paly bride ; 
Clasps her hand, and whispers kindly, 

" May God bless you ! dearest wife! " 



Over fields and over meadows 

Shed the dew its rainy cloud ; 
Nightly stillness all through nature 

Seem the country still to shroud ; 
But a single star is glimmering 

Through the veil the night has spread, 
And its gleam is forcing dimly 

Through its cloudy, gloomy bed. 



Gradually does the twilight 

Of the morning spread the dew, 
And the nightly veil is slowly 

Disappearing in the blue. 
Through the vapor is seen the forest 

With its leafy-crowned top, 
And beyond it looms the towers 

Of a lordly castle up. — 



— 54 — 



Through the glooming proudly stepping 

Do they raise their knightly head, 
As offended by the hiding 

Which the heavy dew has spread. 
Next the balcony is looming 

In its princely finish up ; 
Then the ditch, the bridge, the portal, 

All surrounded by flower and shrub. 



In the east is dimly blushing 

Now, the early morning gleam ; 
Spreading slowly 'gainst the centre, 

Over hill, and moor and stream. 
Also from its gleam the manor 

Catches brightening rays of light, 
Which disperse the nightly cover, 

From its dress so new and bright. 



— 55 — 



Gradually with the daylight 

Does the birdlings mount to sing, 
Here a field lark, there a mock-bird 

Does their tunes 'gainst heaven swing. 
What a wisdom, who provided 

Them with such a songsters breast, 
Whose melodious tunes from nature 

Can its pang and trouble wrest. 



Hush ! what sings the mock-bird yonder 

Near its nest in distant tree, 
Where the dew has disappeared 

And the sun shines bright and free ? 
Is it thanks for safely resting 

In the tree top through the night, 
Or a hymn of annimation 

To the sun so grand and bright ? 



— 56 — 



It's a hymn of annimation, 

But not only to the day — 
It's to the bright eternal morning 

The songster does its greeting pay. 
From the hidden leafy dwelling 

Rise the early tunes so bright, 
Through melodious emotions 

To the great eternal light. 



Wake ! awake then ! dew freed nature, 

Wake ! ye sleepers by its sway : 
" Never did a night yet vanish 

" Without to predict a day ! 
" Never did the sun its glory 

" Set, without again to rise ! — 
" Thus shall God know all His songsters 

" By their warbling and their voice. 



— 57 — 



Just as ceas'd the songsters warbling 

And another birdling fly 
From its twig, to distant castle, 

There its joyful tunes to try ; 
Is a door now quietly opened 

To the balcony, its rear, 
And in silence steps a woman 

To the princely railing there. 



It's the daughter of the parson 

Listening to the feathery bard ; 
She like him will greet the day- queen 

From a full and happy heart. 
In her night-dress, no adorning 

But the beauty God gave her, 
Does she up to her creator 

Lift her eye so pure and clear. 



— 58 — 



Does she know herself her feelings'? 

Know if it is joy or smart? 
Such a mixture of emotion, 

Streams like billows to her heart ; 
What is heaving thus her bosom ? 

Hardly knows she — knows but one, 
She has found an earthly Eden 

By her husband's loving haud. 



Like the sun in glorious brightness 

In the east is seen to roam, 
Does she feel it will forever 

Shine around her happy home ; 
And as now it spreads its plenty 

Over field, and mead and vale, 
So she hopes will be the blessing 

Which her bridal room will hail 



— 59 — 



What a charm is thrown around her ; 

What a modest, graceful gait ; 
Oh ! what treasure for a husband 

Is a wife so pure of faith ! 
Wliat an eye inspired by kindness ! 

What a forehead, free and clear — 
God alone the thoughts can value 

Which have been created there ! 



Long and silent looks she upward 

On the sky so bright and clear ; 
While the balcony is entered 

Noiseless — from the door in rear. 
It's the loving husband looking 

For his bright and happy wife ; 
He could guess the holy impulse 

Which was in her heart alive. 



— 60 — 



Now lie steps to her, embracing 

Lovingly, her slender waist, 
While he full of tender passion 

A good morning kiss impressed. 
As inspired, are singing round them 

Birds from woods, a lark from field, 
'* Leave them to each others embrace 

" Man and wife to such may yield." 



Three hours has the sun been rising 

When in festive suit attired, 
Now the husband is approaching 

To his bride — and as required, 
From a beauty of a basket 

Gives he her a bunch of keys, 
Bright and shiny, as if were they 

Made alone for her to please. 



— 61 — 



" Dearest wife," lie said, " I bring thee, 

" As thy husband it behooves, 
" Here, the keys to all my treasures, 

" Safe they, in thy care will prove. 
" For thy hand they may feel heavy, 

" For thy care they are but small. — 
" If thou like to see thy kingdom, 

" Speak ! and I will show it all ! " 



Quickly does he give the basket 

In the lovely mistress's care, 
Who with smiling, roguish features 

Seems an answer to prepare. 
Then he turns and points around him, 

Speaks in language fond and gay ; 
" Come then ! dearest wife and let us 

" Now, our treasure all survey." 



— 62 — 



" First the room I now will show thee 
" Where each day thy throne will stand ; 

" Where as mistress thou will kindly 
" Though with earnestness command. 

" Where thy discourse shall improve me. 
" And thy smile my heart inspire — 
There I know that roguish Cupid 
" Still will more of power acquire. 

" Where I now and then will enter, 

u There my mind and arm to rest ; 
" Or, when to the tables treasure 

k ' I shall make a bold request. 
" Where I shall with true contentment 

" Feel my happy home is here, 
" And that such is made an Eden 

" By my little wife so dear. 



— 63 — 



" Here's the parlor, where my lady 

" Will receive her friendly guests ; 
" Where I know she'll please and welcome 

" Young and old to her address'd ; 
" Where thy husband will with proudness 

6 * Feel and hear from every one, 
" That like her — so bright and charming 

" Is no woman in the land. 



" Here is a room — thy own dominion, 

" Only thou wilt it unlock ; 
u Where, when in this sanctuary, 

" I respectful first will knock ; 
" Where the image of thy Saviour 

" For thy sacred hours appear ; 
" Where the angels of Elysium 

" Unseen, day and night are near. 



— 64 — 



" Next to that a room is placed, 

" Which for office I desire ; 
" There I shall transact such business 

" As our common good require ; 
" But thy entry there shall ever 

" With a greeting be addressed, 
" And a kiss shall give admittance 

" To that room and all the rest. 



" If the next room should be opened 

" And thy eye into it pry, 
Would the roses double brightly 

" On thy cheeks their blushing try ? 
' To its door with hopeful wishes 

" Does the future us address — 
" There is sometimes in our bosom 

" Thoughts which we can not express. 



In the room I now will open 

" Grows but flowers sweet and rare : 

It is here, where thou this morning 

" Heaven did with earth compare ; 

When the flowers in field and meadows, 

" In the winter lose their life, 

Will they here in bloom and brightness 

" Show a picture of my wife. 



Here is kitchen, there is pantry ; 

" Every room and every hall 

Are with flowers and garlands decked, 

" Even, if thou seest not all. 

But the rest of them I will thee 

" Show, when here again we meet, 

As the servants all are waiting 

" Festal dressed for thee to greet. 



— 66 — 



As he thus his speech has ended, 

Does he gallantly, but bold, 
Bring her to the servants' parlor — 

Deck'd with flowerets untold. 
Here they stand in rows arranged — 

Every servant is now there ; 
And a welcome to their mistress 

All are joining in a cheer. — 

Every one a gift presents her, 

One gives roses — one gives fruit ; 
One a little keepsake gives her 

Carved so beautiful and smooth. 
From one, she in giant stitches 

Does her name in knit receive — 
But the little hennery maiden, 

Poor thing ! she has nought to give. 



— 67 — 



But as now the servants bowing 

Leave the room, their work to take, 
And the place they occupied 

Still as from their footsteps shake ; 
Does the young and handsome master 

Take the place, just left by them, 
And unveils a costly present, 

Covered with a crystal frame. 



And as were he self a servant, 

Speaks in language kind and true : 
" Dearest wife ! one more of servants 

k< Will thy bidding gladly do ; 
" Serve thee, full of joy, and truly, 

" As my God I wish to do ! 
" Serve thee, so that all may judge me 

" Worth such bonny bride as you." 



